Sub: Air Travel entitlements for journeys on tour or training; revision of instructions reg.

In partial modification of Board’s letters of even number dated 24.08.2017 & 25.09.2017 on the subject, it has been decided by Board to revise the Air Travel entitlements of railway officers for journeys on tour or training in the following manner:

A. Journeys by Air within the Country

2. Further, in partial modification of Board’s letter of even number dated 25.09.2017, it has also been decided by Board that grant of Air Travel permission to officers on Indian Railways, either one way or two way, may be approved personally by GMs of Railways with the prior personal concurrence of PFA.

3. As delegated vide para 22 of Board’s letter No. F(X)II-2015IPW17, dated 12.06.2017 of delegation of powers to GMs, these powers may be exercised personally by Chief Administrative Officer with the prior personal concurrence of PFA In case of COFMOW, New Delhi, DCWIPatiala and MTPI Chennai. ‘

4. The competent authority while approving Air Travel would apply his mind and consider whether the available train connectivity and time taken justifies the same. For example; while Delhi-Bangalore-Delhi may qualify for Air Travel, Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi can easily be covered by train comfortably. General Manager while using his discretion to permit one way or two way Air Travel may consider both the need of the journey and the urgency that necessitates Air Travel.

5. It may be ensured that permission for Air Travel is given judiciously and restricted only to absolutely essential official requirement that is recorded, subject to availability of budgetary provisions.

6. This has the approval of Board (FC & CRB).

7. These orders will take effect from the date of issue of this letter.